Customer Reviews

Free the Bees

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My initial reaction to The Bees was that this sextet blacked out on rank 60's psychedelica and woke up with a post-punk hangover. Further exposure to their second release, Free the Bees, righted what came to seem a grave misconception. Multi-instrumentalists Paul Butler and Aaron Fletcher expand their band to a talented sextet that reigns over the history of British rock at will, from the late 60's homage "These Are the Ghosts" through the music hall blues stomp of "No Atmosphere" though the waltzing "The Start". What really hooks you in, though, is "Chicken Payback": a rollicking track you'd swear had a 50's copyright until you check the fine print. It sounds like the kind of authentic dance cut you'd swear you've heard on a John Waters' soundtrack. And from that point on, it's only rock and roll, and you'll like it.

Uh-oh, a follow-up to a much-loved Britpop album. That can only spell "high expectations." And that's the major problem with "Free the Bees," an otherwise lovely sophomore album by the British pop band. They shift their sound a bit, but retain the lush 60s influences and bright melodies.

Their first album was pieced together in much rougher circumstances -- in fact, it was stuck together in a garden shed. So the Bees get to make their sound a bit more polished this time around. It's perhaps not coincidental that they recorded "Free the Bees" at Abbey Road, since they seem to have soaked in the summery psychedelic vibe of the sixties.

That's most evident in songs like "Wash In The Rain," a summery pop tune that is washed in Hammond organ, or "One Glass of Water," a charmingly retro sound that is completely catchy and sweet. And they stray a bit from the sound with "Horseman," which is more influenced by harder rock from a decade later on. And "Chicken Payback" is nothing but hilarious.

The Bees (formerly "Band of Bees") are not known for their originality. They're known for making good pop music. Their music absolutely reeks of the summer of love, and they obviously are influenced by plenty of older bands, wandering happily from sixties psychedelica to seventies rock. But with that in mind, their music is warm and refreshing.

The best word to describe the music is bouncy -- the Bees call on snappy drums and cheery basslines and guitar riffs for their sound, as well as some deeply moving Hammond organ. To finish off the sound, they inject some harmonies that would make the Zombies wipe away a tear of pride.

Those looking for a bit of sun in the middle of winter might need this. The Bees sound very retro in their second album, but seem to be having plenty of fun as they travel back in time.

Uh-oh, a follow-up to a much-loved Britpop album. That can only spell "high expectations." And that's the major problem with "Free the Bees," an otherwise lovely sophomore album by the British pop band. They shift their sound a bit, but retain the lush 60s influences and bright melodies.

Their first album was pieced together in much rougher circumstances -- in fact, it was stuck together in a garden shed. So the Bees get to make their sound a bit more polished this time around. It's perhaps not coincidental that they recorded "Free the Bees" at Abbey Road, since they seem to have soaked in the summery psychedelic vibe of the sixties.

That's most evident in songs like "Wash In The Rain," a summery pop tune that is washed in Hammond organ, or "One Glass of Water," a charmingly retro sound that is completely catchy and sweet. And they stray a bit from the sound with "Horseman," which is more influenced by harder rock from a decade later on. And "Chicken Payback" is nothing but hilarious.

The Bees (formerly "Band of Bees") are not known for their originality. They're known for making good pop music. Their music absolutely reeks of the summer of love, and they obviously are influenced by plenty of older bands, wandering happily from sixties psychedelica to seventies rock. But with that in mind, their music is warm and refreshing.

The best word to describe the music is bouncy -- the Bees call on snappy drums and cheery basslines and guitar riffs for their sound, as well as some deeply moving Hammond organ. To finish off the sound, they inject some harmonies that would make the Zombies wipe away a tear of pride.

Those looking for a bit of sun in the middle of winter might need this. The Bees sound very retro in their second album, but seem to be having plenty of fun as they travel back in time.

It's tough to give this an outright thumbs-up. Since the Bees garnered a fair amount of critical buzz with their underproduced (but very impressive) debut album, their second release has to be described in the context of what we've seen from them. And it's a horse of a different color... in a way.

Here's what's missing: the musical variety. While their first full-length covered an astonishing array of genres-- from second-wave ska to psychedelic rock to moody post-pop ballads, 'Free the Bees' sits more comfortably in a single genre... or decade, anyway. It's 60s nostalgia with an occasional hint of 21st century sophistication, and sounds more like a tribute by a number of bands than the efforts of one group. Mainly because there's still a lot of variety. There's some psychedelia, some roots rock, and some Beatles-esque numbers (it was recorded at Abbey Road, but it's much more Zombies than Beatles). So while the Bees might not be crossing as many boundaries as they did with their debut, they're still managing to pay tribute to some oft-forgotten forms of rock while showing off their formidable songwriting chops.

Much more polished than its predecessor (which was one of those albums that although raw, still sounds totally professional), this one is more on the feel-good side, has more complex orchestration, and feels much more genuine than most current outfits that stick with a single mode of composition and beat it to death. Although this album is plenty different from the first-- which will undoubtedly frustrate some-- I'll be looking forward to more from the Isle of Wight's most famous band.

Note: Those of you who couldn't care less about the sixties should consider this a three-star review. On the other hand, people who like the idea of starting out a conversation with "Hey, check out my favorite band from the Isle of Wight," should give it five.

There's no band quite like The Bees. Their latest release is a fascinating combination of music influenced by 1960s soul, 1970s acid rock, 1980s pop, folk, blues, and punk. If you like eclectic albums, this one's for you.

If you're a fan of the Bees first album, you know how they fuse old R&B/pop and even produce their material to sound that way. Add more of a pure 60's British pop/rock feel to their second release and it makes for a distinct aura, which possibly was first heard at the Isle of Wight festivals of the 1960s.

I've been anxiously anticipating their next release, and finally it has arrived. Luscious harmonies, great instrumentation (including New Vaudeville Band-esque horn licks) and an ensemble that doesn't tinker until it overdoes itself; a complete throwback to the days of revolutionary Great Britain.

Those who played at the Isle of Wight festivals say the island was so overloaded with people the island actually rocked back and forth. With the emergence of The Bees these last three years, don't be surprised to see the old Isle dancing once again!

fall is here again. and my god, how great is to watch all trees shivery drip out the window this morning and listen to this band. 60's throwback? maybe. textured, harmonic, tight, positive energy? definitely.

You will not listen to a better album this year. The Bees have touched the quick by improving on their last album "Sunshine Hit Me." It's more professional (which I believe is a good thing) and their song writing talents are overwhelming (check out track 9 "Hour Glass"). I predict this band will be bigger that Oasis was in the 1990's; at least they deserve to be. This is one of those rare albums your mum actually tells you to turn up! It fuses classic 60's rifts with a modern and up beat vibe making it flawless. The Bees, we salute you!

Anyone who loves the Beatles, 60's garage rock, classic soul and R&B, and 60's-early 70's pyschedelic rock and pop, needs this fantastic cd. Chock full of well crafted melodic, catchy, British pop songs, The Bees deliver the goods, great vocals and plenty of soul, chops and more. Worth it, if just for the hilarious nugget, "Chicken Payback". The soul ballad "I Love You" is another highlight. Every song works. Finally, a modern band I can sink my teeth into. Perfect for anyone who digs The Beatles, The Kinks, Love & Arthur Lee, Pink Floyd's 1st album, and Rhino's "Nuggets" box set.

"These are the Ghosts" has a beautiful lyric and a haunting melody. I bought the album on the strength of this great opening song, after hearing it on the radio. And I'm pleased to say that the rest of the album holds up to that first wonderful tune. It is true that it is reminiscent of the Zombies and many other great bands from THAT ERA, but that haunting quality isn't something that can simply be reproduced without a gift for writing a great pop song, as some reviewers suggest when they criticize the Bees for being "too revivalist" or whatever. Songs like this can't be produced out of a hat... they must be felt. The Bees write great pop and continue in a great tradition. To me they sound as relevant as anything else going at the moment... more so even.

If you've ever bought a Nuggets compilation then you will love the Bees for what they are; 60s revivalists who unashamedly tap the past for the best of what it had to offer and present it in a new and meaningful way.

You see, I like the production techniques and approaches to songwriting and arrangement from THAT ERA more what is popular with major artists today. I'm talking about bands like Coldplay who make slick but boring music for investment bankers to listen to on their I Pods. I am so glad there are bands like the Bees around, with that rough earthy approach that has oh so much more soul, so much more mojo.